Inspired by the principles of Malcolm X / Malik El-Hajj Shabazz. A 'Third Worldist' perspective focusing on the increasing pace of south-south co-operation which is challenging and defeating neo-colonial hegemony, and the struggles of those oppressed by neo-colonialism and white supremacy (racism) who fight for their social, political and cultural freedom 'by any means necessary'

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Sunday, 21 September 2014

SOME SNP MSPs WANT TO FIGHT AS A "YES ALLIANCE"

This would be the most effective move possible in this period of the defeat of the Independence vote, however, much was achieved in this struggle, and suggesting a continued united front campaign is what I suggested on the day of the defeat of the referendum when I stated in this post: "The ideal perhaps would be for the socialists and the SNP and others to develop the defacto United Front strategy that they have been involved in developing in the Yes campaign. That would be the best way to efficiently garner and bring together this new peoples power in Scotland. But that is very unlikely. We will more likely see one or two independent socialists elected to to the Scottish Assembly. The SNP will probably continue to develop support. But something needs to happen now if it is to pick up on the newly enfranchised left nationalists of the youth, Black and Asian and working class communities in Scotland. Scotland could still remain and advance as a centre of opposition to war, privatisation and racism of the london government, but it is on the morning of a historic defeat that in a way the political forces need to work harder to ensure an absolute minimum of potentially massive political demoralisation and demobilisation." - Sukant Chandan, Sons of MalcolmThree SNP MSPs say: Let's fight election as 'Yes Alliance'

SENIOR SNP MSPs want to fight the next General Election on a joint pro-independence platform with the Greens and the Scottish Socialist Party.

Leaked emails reveal that three Nationalist MSPs, including an aide to the outgoing First Minister, would like to contest May's Westminster poll as either a "Yes Alliance" or a "Scotland Alliance".

But Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said the country wanted to "move on".

The independence referendum resulted in a 55%-45% victory for the No side. Within hours, First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would quit as SNP leader, with his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, the favourite to replace him.

A debate is now raging inside the Yes movement on how to react to last week's defeat.

The Yes campaign included the SNP, Greens, SSP and a variety of pro-independence groups and non-aligned individuals.

Although the First Minister has said the prospect of another referendum is dead for a "political generation", Yes campaigners want to keep the coalition of support together. The Sunday Herald can reveal some SNP MSPs favour an electoral pact with other pro-independence parties.

SNP chief whip Bill Kidd emailed his MSPs on Friday to thank them for their "self-discipline" and to pay tribute to the First Minister for his "inspiring" leadership.

In a response to all MSPs, Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald wrote: "The next round is GE [General Election] 2015. What about getting agreement with Greens, SSP, etc and stand as YES Alliance? The unionist vote would split between Labour, Tory & Libdem. We would do decidedly better than the small numbers of MPs we got elected last time.

Joan McAlpine, a South of Scotland MSP who is also one of Salmond's parliamentary liaison officers, said: "I was thinking along the same lines. We have some very talented people who could stand such as Richard Arkless of Business for Scotland."

Fellow list MSP Chic Brodie said: "Think Gordon's idea is right. We intend to keep the campaign group together locally.

"The basis of the policy is there in the white paper, although we recognise that individual candidates might deviate on some issues. That is healthy so long as the overriding agreed policy is to sustain Scottish independence.

"I would suggest name does not include YES but call it Scotland Alliance."

Sensing a flurry of correspondence was becoming unhelpful, former minister Bruce Crawford emailed all SNP MSPs: "Look folks I know we all keen to move on after Thursday. But can we not just keep our own Counsel on these ideas at the moment. Let's wait and see what the next few days bring and let the dust settle before we start mapping for the General Election."

A cross-party alliance would be fraught with difficulties.

Keeping the independence issue on the agenda for the next general election could be seen as ignoring the outcome of last week's vote.

Another drawback is the wildly varying policy platforms of all the parties. The SNP is in favour of the market economy, while the SSP is anti-capitalist.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens want to reduce the country's reliance on oil, but the SNP wants to explore the full potential of the North Sea.

Michael Coyle, an SNP councillor in North Lanarkshire, said he backed the idea of a cross-party alliance at the General Election.

He said: "All political parties involved in Yes should sit down together and co-operate. We should try and get rid of every sitting Labour MP who was against the Yes campaign."

Carlaw said: "Before the ink is even dry on the referendum ballot papers, we have three SNP malcontents seeking to dress up and pose as some sort of trio of comic book avengers.

"If they choose to make themselves a laughing stock, well and good.

"The rest of Scotland wants to move on, to see the new Scottish settlement within the UK implemented and to return to the agenda of everyday issues which has been sidelined during the prolonged referendum debate."

An SNP spokesperson said: "The SNP looks forward to contesting next year's General Election."

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